Girl's pool death 'tragic accident'

Officers were called to The Dome leisure centre in Doncaster after the girl was reportedly dragged unconscious from the pool, South Yorkshire Police said.

She was taken to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary where she was pronounced dead about two hours later.

A force spokesman said the girl, who was from the Leeds area but has not yet been named, was with a group of children and relatives who were visiting the leisure centre for an afternoon swim.

He said: "Although her death is being treated as suspicious as routine, it appears at this stage that this was a tragic accident.

"The Health and Safety Executive have been informed.

"The girl is not yet being named by the police at the request of the family."

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of Doncaster Dome, said trained lifeguards and staff carried out first aid immediately after finding the girl unconscious.

"Staff training in rescue and first aid is regularly reinforced in case of such an incident and I would commend all the staff involved for their efficient and professional response," he said. "All those involved worked hard to support the young girl who was later pronounced dead. All our sympathies go out to her family and loved ones for their loss, and our thoughts are with them at this time."

According to The Dome`s child admission policy, children under the age of eight must be accompanied by a swimming adult, with no more than two children to one grown up.